– The best thing in life for me is seeing happy children! exclaims Gunnar Torgersen.
You hardly believe that he will be 81 years old in the spring of 2023 when you hear what his daily task is: To spend three to four hours every single day cycling around Oslo’s streets, to collect empty bottles and usable things that people throw away.
The goal is not personal gain, but to please the citizens of Romania who live in poverty and need.
We have to go back to the 80s to understand how Gunnar fell head over heels for the Central European country. He got to know a Romanian doctor who described the unrest and poverty that characterized his homeland.
Gunnar joined Romania, and immediately fell in love with the country:
– I took a train in Romania one year and met a British tourist who said something I could relate to: “Romania is like a drug for me”. It is so true. There is something very special about that country.
But Gunnar could also see from the first moment that Romania was characterized by great need and few resources.
Visits Romania several times a year
Since then, Gunnar has traveled to Romania two or three times every year, and brought more than most people would fit in a suitcase. Including clothes, shoes, toys, bicycles and medical equipment.
He himself has taken flights, and spent large sums on sending boxes upon boxes by bus. Here, tens of thousands of kroner are financed exclusively by bottle deposits. And in the boxes are clothes and objects – which people have seen as rubbish.
NICE CATCH: Gunnar carries one of many packed cardboard boxes into a van that will take the load to a bus, which will take it on to Romania. Photo: Johnny Gåsvik
He has also made sure to earmark a good portion of the cargo for Ukrainian refugees, who have fled to Romania after Russia invaded Ukraine in the winter of 2022.
The idea of looking among the rubbish people throw away originates when Gunnar was visited by two young people who lived in an orphanage in Romania.
SLEMDAL, ROMANIA: Here is an Oslo school sweater in good condition, to the delight of a Romanian boy. Photo: Johnny Gåsvik
One night they came home late because they had been held up by the police, who suspected them of having stolen a number of clothes. These were garments they had found by searching in rubbish bins. Gunnar himself could hardly believe that the clothes, which looked whole and neat, had been thrown away by others.
But he was quickly convinced after the boys let him see with their own eyes what treasures an ordinary container or bin can hold.
– I find the most incredible things! Yesterday I found some great women’s shoes and pawn bottles for NOK 200. Sometimes I find carrier bags full of empty bottles, even bags full of clothes with the price tags still attached! Then I will be so happy, says the 80-year-old enthusiastically.
Being recognized on the street
HIS SECOND HOME COUNTRY: Gunnar has around 90 trips to Romania behind him. The plan is to have taken 100 trips and that’s it. Photo: Johnny Gåsvik
With a characteristic bicycle helmet and “track dog” demeanor, Gunnar is constantly noticed and recognized.
One of those who have observed the 80-year-old cycling is TV producer and “Alle mot 1” presenter Thomas Engeset (34):
– He is an eye-catcher as he cycles around with the red alpine helmet and looks in the rubbish. I thought: “What on earth is this guy – I have to talk to him!”. And then Gunnar told me about all the time he spends helping children in Romania, and everything he finds.
Thomas, who is an active Instagram user, made a short video clip with Gunnar which he published. In a short time it had been played 86,000 times, and the comments poured in:
“Actually Norway’s finest guy!”writes actor Herman Flesvig.
“Gunner! You are a role model because you are generous and good and spread lots of joy!”writes Tale Krohn Engvik, alias “Helsesista”.
“Legend!!”writes artist Chris Holsten.
“Lovely!”writes snowboarder and Olympic medalist Ståle Sandbech.
– I do not have words. I have never thought about what I have done, I have only been focused on finding things that can help people, says Gunnar when he is “confronted” with some of the comments.
Watch TV 2 Sport’s video of Gunnar going viral on TikTok
The 80-year-old says that he spends a few hours on his bike every single day, regardless of whether it’s raining or snowing.
– The weather doesn’t matter! I can’t miss out on finding good stuff. The weather can’t stop me. It doesn’t work!
And in 2022, it paid off: Gunnar says that he pledged NOK 69,200, which corresponds to bottles and cans for around NOK 190 a day.
Enjoys making children happy
But what is it that gets the 80-year-old out the door and on the bike for three or four hours on a daily basis?
– My mission is to make other people happy. I love it! Especially children. And when I see a child become happy – I become even happier.
And Gunnar’s joy of giving has not gone unnoticed, Thomas Engeset can tell. After his followers were so excited by the video about Gunnar, a Spleis collection was initiated where the money would go to Gunnar to continue his work.
See Gunnar’s reaction to the message in the video window at the top of the story.
In total, people have given NOK 82,400, which Gunnar will be able to dispose of to help residents in Romania.
SURPRISE! In less than three days, people had collected over NOK 82,000, which Gunnar could use on his heart project – better lives for citizens of Romania. Photo: Spleis.no (facsimile)
When Gunnar hears about the sum to which so many strangers have contributed, he falls silent.
– Oh.
Then:
– That was good to hear, because then I can help even more people! I do not have words. This only makes me more motivated to be able to contribute even more.
And the fit everyday hero promises to contribute for several years to:
– I am only 80 years old, so there is nothing to worry about. I am not finished!
